Tiruvanpurushothamam
- Purushothaman Temple
This holy Vaishnava kshetra is only one of its kind in Tamil Nadu going by the
name of Tiruvanpurushotham temple. It has a few plus points that raised its fame
to the pinnacle of glory. It is said that it was built in bricks originally and
later the reputed Tirumangai Alwar renovated it spending huge sums of money.
Legends attribute the emergence of this temple
to sage Uthanka, who did dirgha tapas here. Devendra fearing that it was for
Devendrapadavi, the Maharshi was doing penance prayed to Mahavishnu to thwart
the attempt. Agreeing to the request, he appeared before Uthanka and blessed him
Moksha, who earnestly prayed to the Lord to remain here for ever lifting the
saranarthas. The Lord okayed. Another legend refers to Vyagrapada Maharshi, who
it appears visited this kshetia with his three year old son Upamanyu for
prayers. Leaving the child, the father went out for getting flowers. In the
meanwhile the child cried for food. Listening to its pathetic condition, the
Lord and Tayaru descending down appeased the hunger of the child with milk from
ksheerabdhi itself. Later, the temple tank now lying at the entrance was filled
with that milk and so it is called Tirupparkadal even today. It was visited by
Tirumangai Alwar.
The
icon of Moolavar is in standing posture and faces east. The Tayaru is called Purushothama
Nayaki. It is a typical vesara type of temple. Daily worship is offered
following the agama tenets. Annual festivals draw huge crowds.
It
lies at about 8 km off Sirkali, famous pilgrim town of Tamilnadu, accessible by
four wheelers.
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